Car Review: VW's Golf R Classes Up The Super-fun GTI
41,725 as tested (no options on test vehicle). In reality, it's not that much faster, but a much nicer package than the GTI. It gets some snazzy new colors and a better display. The 16-valve turbo four-cylinder creates 288 horsepower, and it goes from 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds, according to Motor Trend. And it really goes. The accelerator feels as if it has certain "steps": the first notch is for just driving, a bit more of a press engages "I'm in a hurry" and level 3 says, "I'm gone." Loudly. The exhaust is tuned to sound like Grandpa's old air-cooled Beetle, but with an attitude - considering this baby has somewhere between six and eight times the horsepower, depending on the vintage of the Beetle in question. The seven-speed TipTronic automatic runs nicely through the gears in both automatic and shift mode. In either mode, though, restarting after a stop often left the Golf R hesitant, as if it took a few moments to decide which gear was the right one.
A six-speed manual is also available. On the road, handling from the 4Motion all-wheel-drive is the epitome of Volkswagenness, with super road-holding and around-the-bend excitement - and that's the main feature the GTI doesn't offer. The real beauty of most Volkswagens, but especially of this one, is how the speed, handling and gears combine to create a truly joyous driving experience. An uphill S-curve at 45 miles per hour can be even more exhilarating than blasting the Golf R to 60 mph or beyond. The five drive modes offer great variety in drivability. Race mode makes for the most on-the-road fun, and Normal offered good control on wet roads. The Volkswagen Golf R offers driver and passengers a much upgraded interior over the GTI. The R also has standard all-wheel drive. The driver's seat is uper comfortable and well-matched to my seat. Power controls are easy to operate and lumbar goes away enough for my comfort. Though the drive is awesome, and shotgunners will get primo seats as well, the backseat is going to leave just sadness and turmoil in its wake.
Legroom is pitiful, but headroom is nice. Still, the hatchback does offer some versatility, so this makes for a better companion than many sports cars. Cargo space is 22.8 cubic feet with the seats up, 52.7 with them down. Controls are simple dials for volume and tuning, and buttons take operators from mode to mode. The touchscreen operates everything else and functions admirably. The interior lights create just the right amount of brightness to keep from interfering with the road, but still allow enough light to help find stuff inside the car. The headlights shine in all the right spots as well. I averaged about 25 mpg in an Autobahn-worthy circuit of Southeastern Pennsylvania's roads. There's just no other way to drive this baby. The Golf R makes a whole lot of sense - it packs all the punch and twists of an Alfa Romeo Giulia, all-wheel drive, and a hatchback for added storage. But check out the GTI and you may save a bundle while having almost the same fun.
Additionally, many of our picks are available used and are within the same vehicle generation, which means that you'll retain all the features of their new counterparts but for far less money. This story was provided to The Associated Press by the automotive website Edmunds. Ronald Montoya is a senior consumer advice editor at Edmunds. This undated photo provided by Honda shows the 2019 Honda Civic Si. Available as a coupe or sedan, the Si comes with a 205-horsepower engine that provides quick acceleration. This undated photo provided by Hyundai shows the 2019 Hyundai Kona. The Kona is one of the best subcompact crossover SUVs on the market. This undated photo provided by Fiat Chrysler shows a 2019 Jeep Wrangler. The SUV can be a capable off-roader or a rugged-looking boulevard cruiser. It's still the only SUV available that has a removable roof and doors. This undated photo provided by Mazda shows a 2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata. The Miata's small size and nimble handling contributes to the fun. Its simple fabric top that can be lowered in just a few seconds. This undated photo provided by Volkswagen shows a 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI, a hatchback that offers practicality along with a refined driving experience.
Wolfsburg, 31 July 2008 - The Volkswagen Showcase on the "Olympic Green" is now ready to welcome guests to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. The design of the pavilion features three interlinked themes: the automobile, the Olympic Games and the host country China. The exhibition center and meeting place is housed in a two-storey building which also contains service rooms and two lounges. Under the Volkswagen Group's motto of "Driving Ideas," the future vision of sustainable mobility is presented in a transparent showcase. A fuel pump nozzle made of straw symbolizes the Group's strategy to support second-generation "Sunfuel" biofuels. A second, real-life, nozzle represents present-day fossil fuel supplies. The yin and yang symbols reflect the host country's traditional culture as well as symbolizing a solution combining both technologies. The Group showcase is surrounded by six transparent brand boxes, presenting two vehicles from each of the Volkswagen, Audi and Skoda brands.
